Projectile



R. L. WRIGHT.

PROJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED APII. II, |920.

Patented Apr. 12, 1921.

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R. L. WRIGHT.

PROJECTILE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. I7, |920.

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Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Apr 12 1921 Application filedApril 17, 1920. Serial No. 374,612.'

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT LEE WRIGHT, acitizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county ofLos Angeles and State of California, have invented a.

new and useful Improvement in Projectiles, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to projectiles, and is a modified form of theprojectiles shown in my copending applications, Serial Numbers 218,797;235,482; and 314,165; being a continuation in part of my application forpatent filed July 29, 1919, Serial No.v 314,165.

One of lthe particular objects of this invention is to provide ashell-pointer with a plurality of separate means therein to explodeprojectiles upon contact with the ground, object or target, and aplurality of separate means to explode projectiles at a predeterminedtime after having been discharged from any gun or firearm.

Another object of my invention is to provide a projectile with ashell-pointer with a channel therein and explosives within said channelleading to the explosive charge in the projectile in a way that theshellpointer and projectile will be simultaneously exploded whentliecombined firing pin and electric switch mounted in the forward endof the shell-pointer comes in contact with the ground, object or target.

The value and objects of my invention will be fully understood from thefollowing description taken in connection with the drawings, which showa longitudinal sectional view of my invention.

Figure 1 shows an explosive projectile l with explosive charge thereinand shellpointer extending out from the forward 'end of the projectile.

Fig. 2 is a modified form of Fig. 1.

1 shows an explosive projectile with a cavity and a charge 2 therein, aslim shellpointer 38 extending out of -the point of the projectile. 3indicates a removable plug and screw-threads where the plug may beremoved to place explosives within the projectile; 4 is a cavity in theremovable plug suitable to hold a timing device; 5 is the removable plugand screwthreadson saine,

which may be removed to place a timing device Within the cavity 4. 6shows the removable plug and screwthreads on same, in which a part ofthe timer and cap is secured and may be removed by unscrewing said plug.7 is a cap secured to the plug, and 8 indicates a timing device co'mosed of clo work casing and firing pin with lug therefiii a drivingspring and a rotatable shaft witli a notch in same connected to theclockwork 1n a way to rotate said shaft. 9 shows the casing in which thefiring pin moves. 10 indicates the firing pin; 11 is the driving riliiigin the casing Y e ring pin; l2 is the lu on the rin 13 shows therotatable sliaft connectgeclfutd the clock work, and 14 indicates thenotch in said shaft through which the lug 12 on the firing pin escapes.The operation of this timing device is explained as follows: When theclockwork 8 is wound, it rotates the shaft. 13 and presses the firingpini\10 vback against the driving spring 11, and as the shaft continuesto rotate the lug 12 on the firing pin 10 escapes through the notch v14in the shaftl3, at'grgliich time the driving .spring l1 drives the lirinc in 10 forw and explodes the cap 7 bygpgrcussion. ard

48 indicates a bushing in the point of the projectile in which one endof the shellpointer 38 is screwed, as shown, by screwthreads 22. 20indicates the screwthreads where the bushing is screwed into the pointof the projectile and 21 shows the screwthreads where the light tube 15is screwed into the inner part ofthe bushing abut the inner end of theshell-pointer, 16 is the explosive charge within the light tube 15. 23indicates an electric socket containing a removable tube with explosivestherein as shown at 19 and electric wires 18 leading from the socket toa `cap or detonator 17. 25 is copper contact plates on the electricsocket. 24 shows screwthreads where the electric socket 23 isscrewedinto the rear end of the shell-pointer. 26 is the removable capsecured in the forward end of the perforated tube 19, as shown, withexplosives therein.

27 indicates the firing pin in the electric plug 30 lthat explodes thecap 26 by percussion, and 28 shows pins that form an electric switchwhich closes the electric circuit when the ends of the pins come incontact with the copper, plates 25. 37 indicates a shoulder on theshell-pointer that abuts the bushing 48. 29 shows the shoulder on theelectric pins and percussion pin forming the electric switch whichshoulders abut the electric plug 30, as shown. 31 is the Screwthreadswhere the electric plug 3 0 is screwed into the rear end of the combinedfiring pin and elecaround the rear end'of tric switch. 32 shows nuts ortaps screwed -on to ends o f the pins to hold s'ame in position in theelectric plug 30. 36 shows shoulders in the combined firing pin andelectric switch to hold the electric plug 30 and the electric battery 40in position.

34 shows electric wires'leading from the electric battery 40 to the pins28 and 35 shows where said wires are secured to said pins. 33 indicatesa set screw or any suitable means for holding the combined firing pinand electric switch in position. 41 shows a spring to hold the electricbatter 40 in position. 42 indicates screwthreads where the forward endof the shellpointer 44 is screwed onto the shell-pointer as shown. 43indicates a removable end and screw-threads on same in the forward partof the combined firing pin and electric switch for the purpose ofremoving the electric battery 40. 45 indicates the forward end of thecombined ring pin and electric switch; the same can be made any lengthdesired to best pierce the water and explode the projectile .above thesurface of the ground when the forward end of same comes in Contact withthe ground, object or target. 46 shows an enlarged head on the forwardend of the combined firing pin and electric switch, but the same may beused as well or better in some cases if desired without the enlargedhead as shown. The forward point of the shell-pointer 44 may be madethicker or stronger if desired instead of the inside part belng madehollow as shown. 47 is a raised place on 45 that moves in a groovewithin the point 44 in order to cause the combined ring pin and electricswitch to move directly inward when the forward end of same comes incontact with the ground, object or target. 49 indicates a nut or capscrewed on the perforated tube 19, to hold same in position, in theelectric socket. The shoulders on the three pins that form the combinedfiring pin and electric switch are indicated at 29 and the nuts or tapson same are indicated at 32. The cap 26 may be placed in a cap holderand screwed into the forward end of the perforated tube 19 or the capmay be secured in the end of the perforated tube. A removable plug maybe screwed into the end of the perforated tube. 56 shows the drivingband. The special shape of the forward part of the shell pointer asshown by 44 is important as it allows the forward end of the combined{iring pin and electric switch to come in contact with the ground,object o r target more quickly when fired at an angle, and also piercesthe waterl and air with less resistance. j

The operation of Fig. 1 may be understood as follows: When the forwardend of the combined firing pin and electric switch comes Ji'n'v contactwith the ground, object or target the same is pressed inward by cussion,thereby causing the pins 27 an 28 to explode the percussion cap 26 andclose the electric circuit at 25, thus' igniting the explosive chargewithin the perforated tube 19 and cap or detonator 17, and ignite theexplosive charge 16 and i ite the explosives in tube 15, and thus 1niting the explosive charge 2 in the cavlty of the projectile by aplurality of separate means, and also ignlte the explosive 2 by aplurality of separate means at a redetermined time with timing devicesas s own and explained.

Fig. 2 is the same as Fig. 1 as shown by the numerals being the same andmeaning the same in every way as explained in Fig. 1, excepting thenumerals hereinafter ex# plained and for this reason the same numeralsshown in Fig. 2 tha-t are shown in Fig. l will not be explained again inFig. 2. The diferences are explalned as follows: 14a shows a lug on theshaft 13 and as the clock work 8, when wound, rotates the shaft 13, thelug 14il presses against the lug 12 on the firing pin 10; lby continuousrotating it releases the luv 12 and the driving spring 11 drives the'flaring pin forward and explodes the cap 7. 50 indicates the old timewell known cord fuse that ignites the explosive charge 2 when the cordburns up to the end of the fuse adjacent to explosive charge within thecavity of the projectile. The end of the cords are ignited when theprojectile is fired from a gun. These cord fuses may be made removableby placing same in a plug for each of same and screwed into theprojectile or removable plug in a way to reach the charge in theprojectile as shown. Itis well known that any one of the ways shown willexplode if it operates and the plurality of separate means shown andexplained are for the purpose of making it positive that the projectilewill be exploded and will not be wasted. Should one means fail toexplode same which very often happens, it is plainly to be seen thatthis invention of a plurality of separate means for explodingprojections is a great saving on account of preventing man projectilesbeing wasted by one means ailing to explode same. 51 shows thescrewthreads where the shell-pointer 38 is taken apart in order to screwthe electric socket 23 'and casing 15d into that part of theshell-pointer about the rear end of the electric socket 23.

.52 is the rear part of the shell-pointer as shown with a tube 21bformed around the rear end of the shell-pointer and screwed into theprojectile as shown at 54. 55 indicates the explosive charge in the tube21" surrounding the rear end of the shellpointer, as shown, and 53 isthe explosive charge in the shell pointer. This chare may be made anysize, by increasing t e length and width 'of the shell-pointer and thecavityl for holding explosives therein. Driving bands are shown at 56.The operation of Fig. 2 may be'understood as follows Vhen the forwardend of lthe combined firing pin and electric switch comes in contactwith the ground, object or target the same is pressed inward bypercussion, thus causing the pins 27 and 28 to explode the percussion ca26 and close the electric circuit at 25, t us exploding the perforatedtube 19 and cap or detonator 17, and ignite the explosive charge 16 andexplode the tube 15d, thus ignitino` the explosives 53 and exploding theshell-pointer and igniting the explosive charge 55 within the tube 2lband igniting theexplosive charge 2 w1th1n the projectile by a pluralityof separate means and also ignite the explosive charge 2 by a pluralityof separate means at a predetermined time with timing devices as shownand explained.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details ofconstruction as well as arrangements of parts without departlng from thespirit of the invention, and therefore, I do not wish to be limited tothe above disclosure except as may be required by the claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An ordnance rojectile having an explosive charge and) means fordetonating same, said means including an axially arranged projection atthe forward end of the projectile, a longitudinal bore within saidprojection, a detonating charge in alinement with the rear of said borethrough said projection and in operative relation to the explosivecharge in the projectile, another detonating charge and means fordetonating the latter including a combined contact electric switch andfiring pin engageable by contact electric switch means and contactpercussion cap and fuse.

2. An ordnance projectile having an explosive charge within and having aprojection secured to the forward end thereof extending axially, aplurality of cavities formed within said'projection, an explosive chargewithin each of said cavities, means to ignite and explode the mostforward explosive charge within said projection with a plurality ofseparate means and means to ignite and explode a plurality of explosivecharges within the projection and projectile with the effects and forceof the explosion of each explosive charge exploded in advance of eachother.

3. An ordnance shell having an explosive charge within and having aprojection secured to the forward end thereof extending axially, aplurality of cavities secured within said projection, an explosivecharge the effects and force of explosion of each explosive chargeexploded in advance of each other.

4. A n ordnanceshell having a projection secured to the forward endthereof extend-v ing axially, a plurality of cavities secured 'withinsaid projection, an explosive charge within each of said cavities, acombined contact electric switch and firing pin and fuse secured withinsaid projection in a way to ignite and explode the most forwardexplosive charge within said projection when said contact electricswitch and firing pin4 comes in contact with the ground, object ortarget, and means to ignite and .explode a plurality of explosivecharges within said projection with the effects and force of theexplosion of each explosive charge exploded in advance of each other.

5. An ordnance shell having a projection secured to the .forward endthereof extending axially, a plurality of cavities formed within saidprojection, an explosive charge within each of said cavities, a combinedcontact electric switch, detonator, firing pin and fuse secured in saidprojection in a way to ignite and explode the most forward ex-V plosivecharge within said projection when the said combined contact firing pinand electric switch comes in contact with the ground, object or target,and means to ignite and explode the second explosive charge within saidprojection with the effects and 105 force of the explosion of the saidfirst explosive charge.

6. An ordnance shell having a projection secured to the forward endthereof extending axially, a plurality of cavities secured 110 withinsaid projection, an explosive charge within each of said cavities, acombined contact firing pin and electric switch, and tube having anexplosive charge within a cap secured in said tube engageable by saidfiring pin in a way to explode said cap and ignite said explosive chargewithin said tube when the combined contact ring pin and electric switchcomes in contact with the ground, object or target, and means to igniteand explode the most forward explosive charge within said projection andmeans to ignite and explode a plurality of said explosive charges withthe effects and force of the explosion of each explosive charge ex lodedin advance of each other.

An ordnance shell having a projection secured to the forward end thereofextending axially, a plurality of cavities secured within saidprojection, an explosive charge within each of said cavities, means toignite and explode the most forward explosive charge within saidprojectlon vwith a lurality of separate means slmultaneous y and withone means if the other fails, means to i ite yand explodev f ar secondexplosive cslrge with the effects and force of the explosionr of thesaid rst exploslve char e. 8. A projectile having a suitable cavltywithin to hold an explosive charge and a pointy rformed thereon, yanexploslve char within said cavity, a removable breech plu'gy with acavity therein, a timing device positioned in said cavity, means toremove said timing device, said timing device com-v prising aspringpressed rmg pm, a lug v on said firing pm, ya 'rotatable shaft, alug binationy with a pair of electric contactplates and a contact fusehaving a plurallty of rdetonating charges in alinement with the bore ofsaid shell-pointer and at the rear end a detonating charge in operatlonto the booster charge of the shell and communlcating with and inalinement with the said passage.

l 10. A11 ordnance projectile having a shellpointer comprising aprojection secured to the forward end thereof extending axially andformed with a longitudinal passage in combination with a pair ofelectric contact plates and a contact fuse having a plurality ofdetonating charges in operative relation to the forward end of saidassage and a second detonating charge at t e rear end of said passage inoperative relation to the explosive charge of the projectile.

11. An ordnance projectile having a shellpointer at the forwardendthereof formed with a longitudinal passage therethrough incombination with a air of electric contact plates and a contact usesecured in the forward part of said shell-pointer and having a pluralityof detonating charges in operative relation to the forward end of saidpassage and a second detonating charge in operative relation to the rearend of said passage in operative relation to the explosive charge of theprojectlle.

12. An ordnance projectile having a shellpointer comprising a'projection at the forward end thereof formed with a longitudinal passagetherethrough in combination with a ypair ofy electric contact plates anda contact fuse secured in the forward part ofy said shell-pointer on,and having a plurality f of detonatingy charges 1n o erative relation tothe forward end of sai passage, and a second detonating charge inoperative relation to the rear endof said the explosive charge of the sell, 'the walls of sald projection, the assage therethrough, the contactfuse and t e being substantially symmetrical with re-V speci: to theaxisvoffthe shell and havin t eir axes in 'alinement with each other anwith said axis of the shell so that the centrifugal forces due toaxialfrotation of the shell when it is fired will be balanced in eachcross section of the. device.

13. An ordnance vprojectile having a shellpointer comprising aprojection at the forward end thereof formed with a longitudinal pair ofelectric contact plates and a contact fuse secured in the forward partof said shelldetonating charges' assage and to f pointer and having aplurality of detonating Y f charges in operative relation to the forwardrend of said passage and a second detonatin charge in operative relationto the rear en of sald passage and to the explosive charge of theprojectile, said shellepointer yhaving its walls of material andthickness suiiicient to confine the pair of electric contact plates anda contact'fuse and a plurality of detonator explosions against materiallateral ex- V pansion.

14. An ordnance projectile having an explosive charge and means fordetonating same, said means including an axially arranged tubularprojection at` the forward end -of the projectile, a detonating chargein alinement with the rear of the passage through said projection and inoperative relation to the explosive charge m the projectile and inalinement with the forward end of said passage another Idetonatingcharge and means for detonating the latter including a combined contactelectric switch and irin pin engageable by the electric contact plgatesand contact fuse.

15. An ordnance projectile having an explosive charge, a detonatingcharge 1n operative relation thereto and a pair of electric contactplates and a contact fuse having a plurality of detonating charges andmeans including a combined contact electric switch and firing pin fordetonating the latter, in combinat1on with a tubular forward extensionfor the shell of small diameter, light Weight and considerable length ascompared -with the projectile, said extension having 85 passagetherethrough iny combination with a within and a cap secured within saidtube in a way to ignite the explosive chargie when the cap is explodedsecured in said projection, means to ignite and explode the most forwardexplosive charge within said projection and means to ignite and explodea plurality of said explosive charges with the effects and force of theexplosion of each explosive charge exploded in advance of each other.

17. An ordnance shell having a projection secured to the forward endthereofextending axially, a plurality of cavities secured withinsaid-projections, an explosive' charge within each of said cavities, incombination with a combined contact firing pin, and electric switch, atube for explosives and ca andfuse and electric battery secured in saiprojection, means `to ignite and explode the most forward explosivecharge within said projection and means to ignite and explode a secondex losive charge with the effects and force o the explosion of thesaidfirst explosive charge. 18. An ordnance shell or projectile ha a`projection secured to the'forward en thereof extending axially, anelectric battery and electrical means secured` within' said projectionto ignite a plurality of explosive charges within said shell or projectile.`

- 19. A breech block for an ordnance shell having a cavity within'provided with a time fuse extending therethrough, to an explosivewithin the shell front and rear apertures in said -breech bloclr, aclosure threaded in each aperture, one of said closures carrying afiring mechanism operative after a predetermined time to fire adenonator associated therewith.

20. A breech block for an ordnance shell fhaving a cavity withinprovided with a time fuse extending therethrough to an explosive withinthe shell, front and rear apertures in said breech block, a closurethreaded in each aperture, and a firing device secured within saidcavity within said breechblock operative after a predetermined time tore al detonator charge associated therewith.

21. A breech block for an ordnance shell having a cavity within providedwith a time fuse extending therethrou h to an explosive within the shellfront an rear apertures in said breach blocli, a closure threaded ineach aperture, and a firing device comprising a spring pressed firingpin with a lu'g on the firing pin, a rotating shaft carrying means to eage and disengage the lug on the ir ing pm when the said shaft isrotated ,and clock work to rotate said rotating shaft when the sprin ofthe clock work is wound, op.- erative a er a predetermined time toexlode a percussion cap by ercussion and ignite the explosive within t eshell.

ROBERT LEE WRIGHT.

